5th September 2025

The Importance of ILD Level 6 Training

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) affect tens of thousands of people in the UK every year. With an estimated 20,000 new ILD diagnoses annually, the incidence rate stands at 10.91 per 100,000 men and 6.7 per 100,000 women. For patients and their families, receiving an ILD diagnosis can be devastating, and the challenges extend far beyond the initial news.

The Challenges Patients Face

• Misdiagnosis: Up to 55% of ILD patients are misdiagnosed, delaying access to vital treatment and support.

• Quality of life: ILDs cause progressive lung scarring, leading to breathlessness, fatigue, and limited activity—factors that significantly reduce quality of life.

• Delays in diagnosis:

  • Over 36% of patients experience symptoms for more than 2 years before seeing a specialist.

  • 23% wait between 12–24 months, while 37% wait longer than 24 months from symptom onset to their first clinic visit.

• Poor outcomes: With over 200 ILD conditions identified, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the outlook is serious—IPF alone carries a 3–5 year survival rate of just 50% after diagnosis.

• Barriers to care: Lack of access to treatment and limited involvement in research negatively impact care for many patients.

Why Training Matters

Given these challenges, it is essential that healthcare professionals are equipped to:

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of ILD earlier.

• Support patients through effective management strategies.

• Empower patients to take an active role in their care.

• Implement pathways, such as the OneVoiceILD initiative, that improve outcomes and patient experience.

Introducing the ILD Level 6 Course

To meet this need, Education for Health has launched the Level 6 ILD short course. This programme is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills required to improve ILD care in practice.

The course covers:

• Diagnosis and recognition of ILD.

• Management approaches to optimise patient care.

• Supportive care strategies that help patients live well with ILD.

Delivered via blended online learning, the course allows flexibility while offering tutor support, group discussions, and opportunities to apply learning to real-world scenarios.

Make a Difference in ILD Care

Improving outcomes for patients with ILD starts with ensuring that healthcare professionals have the right training and resources. By joining the ILD Level 6 course, you will gain the confidence and skills to make a meaningful impact on patient care and quality of life.

Find out more and register for the ILD Level 6 course here